Ear Candy

I already told you about the GB Meet-Up tonight, but what I DIDN'T tell you is that I'm going to be making my DJ DEBUT! It's only for the first hour, so you better get your bunz there early so you can be blown away by my rockin' tunes.

I'll be joined by fellow GB-er and first-time DJ-er Lisa White. We haven't come up with our awesome DJ names yet, so suggestions are welcome. You can tell us when you see us tonight. DJing. For your ears.

Tonight: Man B Que

I'm a big fan of Man v. Food, and a word like "Man B Que" makes my mind wander directly to Adam Richman taking down some ridiculous amount of steak or ungodly spicy pulled pork sandwich. While there aren't likely to be any crazy food challenges facing Man at this BBQ, there's still going to be free food, and live music.

Tonight is also a Que for the Choir benefiting the Scotland Yard Gospel Choir after a horrible van accident last year claimed most of their gear and left them with heaping medical bills.

Listen to your belly. Come out and eat some ribs (there will be vegan options as well!), and help some friends in the process.

Tonight. 8pm. Darkroom. $15.

Get It Together.

Hey y'all! Gapers Block is having a PARTY, and YOU'RE invited!

It's this month's GB get-together, this time at Risque Cafe in Wrigleyville (3419 N. Clark). There will be PBR tallboys. They will be $1.

This Friday from 8-10pm. Be there.

Team Conan 4-evah

In case you didn't know, the music in the actual promo commercial is set to the tune "Get Back" by the Beatles. You know, "get back to where you once belonged..."

Jerkstores.

Enjoy this more accurate "revised" version:

of Montreal Doc Premieres In Chicago!

of Montreal were followed by English professor Spenser Simrill Jr. for a documentary of their European tour last year. And lucky me, it premieres at the Chicago International Movies and Music Fest.

March 5th. 8pm. Heaven Gallery. Who wants to go with?!

Family Nouveau Trailer:

Behind the Scenes of "A Dream"

A 7-foot drag queen. Two dancing chickens. A crowd-surfing giraffe (that almost bit it in the ceiling fan). "...and then shit gets really weird."

That's just some of what went into the making of Skybox's new music video for "In A Dream" that was filmed last month at one of our favorite local bars, The Burlington (I always thought those windows looked like eyes). I was part of the dance party scenes of the video, and told "if you happen to have any costume type stuff....the more surreal the better.....bring it along." Throw in some free PBR, and I knew it was going to be a fun experience.

Here are a few of my favorite shots from the day long shoot at Burli; you can see all the pics on my flickr page (I was going to wait til I edited them to improve some of the images, but I realize that's probably never going to happen, so they come as they are).

Music Video: Skybox - "In A Dream"

I was lucky enough to take part in the filming of another local band's music video in January. This time was Skybox's "In A Dream." I'll be following up with "behind-the-scenes" photos from the day long shoot later [UPDATE: Pics are up!], but for now, check out the final product!

What's going on this weekend?

If you asked me right now I'd say I just want to stay in tonight and lounge on my couch and eat potato chips and watch the Olympics, but give me a couple hours and some coffee and I'll be changing my mind because there is plenty to do tonight. My girl Neph invited me to Double Door tonight to see Dando, who I honestly don't know much about other than he fronts The Lemonheads.

If you're looking for some low budget fun, Hey Champ is playing a free show at LaSalle Power Company (hey, I never did write that post about how much I hate the 'tude, and well, everything about that place--I'm honestly surprised it's still open).

Also happening tonight is Four Tet (early and late show) at Empty Bottle (who I also dont know much about other than they've got this song they keep playing on woxy that I really like. Bottom line: I want to hear more).

And when you're not quite ready to go home after the show, head on over to The Continental where Tankboy will be manning the decks from 11 til 4am.

I call this one "get out of my dj booth"

TOMORROW, also known as SATURDAY NIGHT, Scott Lucas and the Married Men celebrate the long anticipated (by us at least) release of their debut album, George Lassos the Moon. Tankboy wrote a really great review of the album on Chicagoist including the irresistibly cute story behind the songs where he "gets the girl." All together now... awww.

Also on Saturday: I've already told you how much I love the influential, innovative Tortoise, they will be playing Lincoln Hall.


So even though there's a bunch of snow still on the ground and the temps seem to be hooked forever in the 30's, there's no excuse to not get out of the house this weekend! You'll have all next week to watch the Olympics when the weather turns even crappier.

Johnny Gaga

In honor of my new favorite male figure skater, competing in tonight's Thursday's long program at the Olympic games--Johnny Weir.

The Flaming Lips House

Wayne Coyne is weird. You can probably file this under "things you already know," but hey, that's why we like him.

As if you needed further proof, here is a look inside his Oklahoma City home which Hipster Runoff called an "overdesigned sex den." All I can think is futuristic pod living.


See all the images from Fitzsimmons Architects. Oh, and there will be a protective dragon over the entire compound.

Here Wayne gives us a tour of the renovations in-progress:

Discovered Today: Dan Black

I haven't penned a "Discovered Today" in a while, I've been so busy attending to my personal life (and getting through the holidays) that I havent been as attentive to artist submissions coming my way. But things are starting to settle down and I'm not feeling quite as overwhelmed anymore. I don't know that I'll pick back up quite to the level I was before, but I'll work out a nice life/work/writing/fun balance.

Enough about me, today I'm here to talk about Dan Black. He wonderfully blends subtle hip-hop influences with today's electronic style, creating something that feels a lot more grown up--a refreshing change from the carefree kid-like music that seems to have overtaken indie-pop lately. But don't think you won't have anything to dance to--"Yours" and "Pass That Head Noize" will still have you jumping around and shaking your hips at the bar (or in your living room, wherever you prefer). When things slow down, he delivers an easy laid back groove, as on "Symphonies" which features Kid Cudi (who I just recently discovered was not just another Lil Wayne rapper, but more of a Danger Mouse style hip-hop artist). Black's debut album ((un)) comes out today, and hopefully we'll see a Chicago date added to his tour soon.*

*P.S. With the Lolla rumor mill already churning, I wouldn't be surprised to eventually see this guy on the bill.


UPDATE: Oh, look who's been added to the '10 Lolla roster...

Meet Miss Margaret

My friend Tom Schraeder recently turned me on to Gia Margaret, an up and coming singer/songwriter in the cogs of the Chicago music scene. Like I said in my write-up for tonight's show at Schubas, I had gotten kind of bored of singer/songwriters as of late, but there is something special about Miss Margaret. Check her out for yourself, I think she's one Chicago musician you'll want to keep an eye on.

Pitchfork Lineup Announced!

As I mentioned yesterday, this year's Pitchfork Music Festival has been set for July 16-18. Tickets go on sale today (at noon) and part of the lineup has already been announced:

Friday, July 16 2010:
Modest Mouse and more to be announced!

Saturday, July 17 2010:
LCD Soundsystem and Raekwon, and more to be announced!

Sunday, July 18th 2010:
Pavement, St. Vincent, Lightning Bolt, Sleigh Bells, Here We Go Magic, Cass McCombs, and more to be announced!

It's no shock that Pavement would be headlining, but I've gotta say I'm most pumped for LCD Soundsystem on Saturday. He "opened" for Daft Punk at Lolla in '07--which was fantastic (not to mention appropriate), plus Sound of Silver as a whole is one of my favorite albums ever, one of those that will no doubt stand the test of time.

What about you? Who are you excited to see? Or, who do you expect (or want) to be added to the lineup in the coming months? (Although, my favorite part of festivals is stumbling upon new artists.)

Battles and Pitchforks

Tankboy just informed me that Battles plan to release a second album this year. This makes me very happy, especially since that means they will probably tour, and I will get to see Tyondai and Stainer perform live again.

In other news, Pitchfork Music Festival (where I first stumbled upon Battles) has decided what weekend I will be hanging around Union Park: July 16-18.

Break a Leg! No, really...

I've seen Tel Aviv garage rockers Monotonix twice: the first time at the Hideout Block Party in '08 and again inside the Hideout last year. Both times were IN-SANE. Their shows are crazy wild and crazy awesome. Their lead singer broke his leg at a performance last week (video here). I am not surprised. I am, however, slightly surprised by the crowd reaction... "fuck you pussy"? When the man is asking for a doctor or paramedic, I'm going to assume he's actually seriously injured--although he did play through the first and second song and didn't ask for help til the third... but then refused to take the ambulance to the hospital...

Anyway, their story about the hospital is pretty entertaining, as are their pics w/ the doc and nurses (and note, he is laughing in almost all the pictures).

I didn't really say any of the things I wanted to in describing their live show (like about the flaming cymbals at the block party or the drumstick that I still have from their Hideout show...), but here's my preview for their Schubas show coming up on April 19.

Photo from kirstiecat (see all her pics from that night's set here).